By Augustine Ehikioya
Still sad with the death of his father-in-law, Air Vice Marshal Abba Ali Zannah (Rtd) , has described the late Engineer Bunu Sheriff Musa as a father who lived a decent life in service of humanity.
Air Vice Marshal Zannah, is the husband to the eldest daughter of the Late Bunu Sheriff Musa, who died on Sunday December 5th in Maiduguri, Borno State.
AA Zannah spoke in Abuja when Security Watch Africa (SWA) paid the family a condolence visit. The SWA team was led by its C.E.O, Mr. Patrick Agbambu.
Noting that at some point in time, death must come, he expressed thanks to Almighty God for answering his late father-in-law’s prayers.
He said “Some people leave for others to come in. We are pained. When you see the testimonies of people and the life he lived. He lived a decent life in service of humanity.”
He promised that the family will do everything to maintain his legacy or improve on it.
“Everything will be done to keep the legacy he left behind if we can not improve on it,” he stated.
He said the family was grateful to Security Watch Africa for sharing in their grief.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Agbambu, had sympathize with the family.
He extolled the good virtues of the Late Bunu Sheriff Musa, stressing that he left a good name behind.
Agbambu said “He has left a good name behind. He believed in leadership by service and not by aggrandizement.”
“He believed that everybody is equal, irrespective of class, educational qualifications, tribe or gender.”
“I charge the family to continue in his legacy and build on his good name.
“I prayed God to comfort and encourage the family that he left behind,” he stated.
Speaking on what he learnt from his father when he was alive, the eldest son, Colonel Ibrahim Bunu Sheriff, who is the Commander, Sector 3, Operation Delta Safe said “Well, like I mentioned earlier, his humility. He was a very humble person.
“And very prayerful as well. And his simplicity. He was a simple person, humble and prayerful,” he said.
“He was our mentor, role model and our all-in-one. He was generous and caring,” he added.
During his lifetime, the Late Engineer Bunu Sheriff Musa, had headed five Federal ministries in Nigeria at different times.
As the Minister of Employment, Labour and Productivity (1990-92), he was able to prevent strike action by the Nigerian Labour Unions throughout his tenure spanning two and a half years.
He also attended the National Constitutional Conference in 1993 and was a Member of the Vision 2010 Committee in 1994.
He was appointed, Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of France (1998).
In appreciation of his services, he was decorated with French National Honour of Grand Officer of the Order of National Merit of France by the French President, in 1999.
He also bagged Nigerian National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR (2004) and National Productivity Order of Merit, NPOM (2009).
He served as Director, Oceanic Bank Plc; Member, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency; Chairman, Haskoning Engineering Consultants Nigeria Ltd; Chairman, Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Bida.
He was also National President, Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Hadejia-Jama’are- Komadugu-Yobe Basin Trust Fund and the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, (2009 – 2012).
Engr. Bunu Sheriff Musa obtained Member Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE) (1982) ; Member Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) (1983); Fellowship of Nigerian Society of Nigeria Elected (FNSE) (1990); Fellowship of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS) (2004).
He was also a Fellowship of the National Institute of Safety Professionals and Life Patron of Labour Writers Association of Nigeria.
He was widely traveled and has represented Nigeria at many World Conferences.